Razor and blade



Jan. 7, 1947.

. J. E CONNOLLY RAZOR AND BLADE Filed Aug. 16, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 James E Gonna/{y Jan. I, 1947.

J. E. CONNOLLY RAZOR AND BLADE Filed Aug. 16; 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JiZzmes E Connolly ,&

Patented Jan. 7, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

13 Claims.

This invention relates to safety razors and more particularly to shock absorbing and compensating razor blades.

Microphotographs of razor blades show that their cutting edges are ragged which, of course, is not conducive to smooth and comfortable shaving. The cutting edge portions, especially of wafer type blades, are very thin, being made up of minute tenuously cohering particles. When such a blade is in place in a holder the particles are strained as a result of the tension imposed on the blade "by the clamping of the holder, and in addition the shocks and vibrations acting locally as an incident to shaving, further tend to disrupt the condition of the particles, resulting in the objectionable raggedness previously referred to, The testing of numerous blade constructions has led me to the conclusion that the disruption of the orientation of particles at the cutting edge is due in large measure to the minute shocks and vibrations set up in the blade when the forces imposed locally on the cutting edges during shaving are transmitted into the'interior of the blade and toward the opposite cutting edge, in the case of a double-edged blade.

An object of the present invention is to provide a razor blade, e. g, of the double-edged wafer type, which is so, formed as to minimize or to absorb the transmission of shocks and vibrations imposed on the cutting edge or edges as an incident to shaving.

Another object of the invention is to provide a razor blade of" the character stated including at least one resilient bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting opposed parallel cutting edges, the bridge portion being deformed outwardly of the general plane containing the cutting edges.

Another object of the invention is to provide a blade of the kind referred to in which the bridge portion is of specifically novel shape in addition to having generally novel and advantageous shock absorbing characteristics.

A further object of the invention is to provide a razor holder and blade assembly in which the holder is formed to hold the blade securely while nevertheless permitting freedom for fiexure of the'deformed bridge portion or portions.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description, the appended claims, andthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 isan end elevation of a razor and blade assembly embodying the invention inone form;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the razor blade forming part of the assembly shown in Figures 1 and Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified razor blade embodying the invention;

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig-- ure 5;

Figure '7 is a plan view of another modified razor blade embodying the invention;

Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig-- ure 7;

Figure 9 is a' transverse section through another modified' razor blade embodying the inven-. tion, the section being taken in a plane locatedas denoted by the line 44-in Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a top plan view of a modified holder and blade assembly;

Figure 11 is a plan view of a still further modified blade embodying the invention; and

Figur 12 is a section on the line 12-42 of Figure 11.

Generally stated, th invention may be embodied in blades and razors of different kinds. For the purpose of illustration several preferred forms are shown a being adapted for use in con-- nection with holder and blade assemblies of the Gillette type in which a double-edged blade, usually of so-called wafer thinness, is clamped between a head and a guard.

The assembly shown in Figures 1 and 2 includes a holder generally designated A and a blade B. The holder A includes clamping members comprising a head I and a guard 2 held in clamping position with respect to th head I by a handle stem 3 which is internally threaded at 4 to receive a threaded stud 5 on the head I and which extends through a hole 6 inthe guard 2. The head I is formed with a rib 1 adapted to extend into a slot 8 in the guard 2. As described thus far, the holder A is similar to a well known 5 type of Gillette razor.

3 tremors, vibrations and all other disturbances in cident to application of forces on the cutting edges during shaving. I have found that such absorption of disturbances is accomplished most effectively by forming the bridge portions in such manner that they will have characteristics similar to characteristics of a spring, for example an imaginary coil spring, whose axis is substantially coincident with the blade longitudinal center line between and parallel to the cutting edges. In the representative form shown in Figures 1 to 4, each of the bridge portions IIII is formed with a transverse slot I2 extending between spaced parallel transverse resilient bridge parts I3I3. In the manufacture of the blade, and prior to its use in a razor, the bridge parts I3-I3 are pre-deformed outwardly from the general plane containing the cutting edge portions 9-9. Preferably the pre-deiormed bridge parts are arched, but they need not be truly arcuate or of any mathematically certain curvature, the essential consideration being that the parts I3 have properties or characteristics at least approximatin those of an imaginary spring as previously explained. In this embodiment, both of the parts I3I3 of each bridge portion II are deformed outwardly on the same side of the blade. 7

In use the blade B is inserted in the usual manner between the clamping members I and 2. In order that the bridge parts I3 may flex and change shape so as properly to absorb shocks and other disturbances they must be left free from contact with the head I and guard 2. To this end the head I is recessed at both ends as at I4 and the guard is recessed at both ends as at I5, the recesses providing clearance enabling the bridge portions to flex and move. It will be apparent that for use with the blade B it would be possible to omit either the head recesses I4 or the guard recesses I5. However, the provision of recesses in both the head and the guard enable the blade to be turned over or reversed.

The shock absorbing characteristics of the blade may be enhanced by the provision of slots or cutouts I6 which damp the vibrations before they are transmitted to the bridges.

The modified form of blade B shown in Figures 5 and 6, is generally similar to the blade B, shown in Figures 1 to 4, and accordingly the parts of the blade B are designated by reference char acters similar to those designating corresponding parts of the blade B, with the exception that the reference characters applied to Figures 5 and 6 include the exponent or suffix a. Thus the cutting edge portions 9 of the blade B correspond to the cutting edge portions 8 of the blade B and so on.

The blade B difiers from the blade B in that each of its bridge portions II includes only one resilient bridge part I3 whereas each bridge portion II of the blade B includes the two parts I3-I3. The slots Iii and IV of the blade B are specifically different from the slots II] and I6 of the blade B, but they serve the same purposes.

The blade B shown in Figures 7 and 8, also is generally similar to the blade B previously described, and its parts are designated by similar reference characters, including, however, exponents or suflixes b. Thi embodiment differs from those previously described in that each bridge portion II includes two resilient parts Ni -43 which are arched outwardly from and on Opposite sides of the plane containing the cutting edge portions e -4H9. I It will be apparent that when using a blade of the kind shown in Fig- 4 ures 7 and 8 it may be desirable for both the head I and guard 2 to be recessed as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The further form of blade B shown in Figure 9 is the same as the blade shown in Figures 1 to 4 with the exception that the integrally formed bridge parts I3 are thinned out in manufacture so as to have increased resilience. Parts of the blade B are designated by reference numerals similar to those applied to corresponding parts of the blade B, the numerals applied to parts of the blade B including the exponent c.

Figure 10 shows a modified assembly in which the blade B has its bridge portions I I extended beyond the ends of the head I and the guard 2 so as to eliminate the necessity of recessing the head and guard to provide clearance between the resilient bridge parts III on opposite sides of the slots I2 It will be apparent that a blade having such extended end portions can be used in connection with a conventional holder of any suitable type already available.

The blade B shown in Figures 11 and 12 is similar to the blade B previously described but has only one bridge portion I I at one end of the slot Ill the other end of the slot being open. Making the slot open at one end makes it possible to insert and remove blades from a holder without first efiecting complete separation of the head and guard. Parts of the blade B are designated by reference numerals similar to those designating corresponding parts of the blade B. The numerals applied to the blade B however, include the exponent In each of the several forms of blade disclosed the resilient bridge parts are arched outwardly of the plane of the cutting edges, and although the arched portions are not necessarily parts of circles they do in general constitute sections of an imaginary coil spring. As part of a coil or the like they constitute what I term a semi-coil having good shock absorbing characteristics.

Specific dimensions and specific shapes of the elemental parts or sections may, of course, vary according to the material used and the thickness of the blade. Several preferred forms have been shown and it will be apparent other specifically difierent forms may be constructed to embody the invention within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a safety razor, a holder comprising two clamping members for holding a blade in shaving position; and a double-edged wafer type blade clamped by said members, said blade including spaced parallel cutting edge portions and at least one smoothly curved shock absorbing bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions, said bridge portion being deformed arcuately outwardly of the general plane of said blade with the center of the are substantially on the center line of said blade parallel to the cutting edges, and at least one of said clamping members being recessed to freely accommodate said bridge portion so as to permit change of shape thereof due to fiexure and absorption of shock incident to shaving.

2. In a safety razor, a holder comprising two clamping members for holding a blade in shaving position; and a double-edged blade clamped between said members, said blade including spaced parallel cutting edge portions and at least one shock absorbing bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions, said bridge portion being deformed outwardly of the general plane containing the cutting edges and being flexible to absorb shocks transmitted from one edge portion toward the other edge portion, and at least one of said clamping members being recessed to accommodate said deformed bridge portion with clearance for flexure thereof incident to absorption of shocks.

3. In a safety razor, a holder comprising two clamping members for holding a blade in shaving position; and a double-edged blade clamped between said members, said blade including spaced parallel cutting edge portions and at least one shock absorbing bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions adjacent one end of said blade, said bridge portion being deformed outwardly of the general plane containing the cutting edges and being flexible to absorb shocks transmitted from one edge portion toward the other edge portion, and at least one of said clamping members being recessed to accommodate said deformed bridge portion with clearance for flexure thereof incident to absorption of shocks.

4. In a safety razor, a holder comprising two clamping members for holding a blade in shaving position; and a double-edged blade clamped between said members, said blade including spaced parallel cutting edge portions and two bridge portions spaced from each other longitudinally of the blade and connecting said edge portions. said bridge portions being deformed outwardly of the general plane containing the cutting edges and being flexible to absorb shocks transmitted from one edge portion toward the other edge portion, and at least one of said clamping members being recessed to accommodate said deformed bridge portions with clearance for flexure thereof incident to absorption of shocks.

5. In a safety razor, a holder comprising two clamping members for holding a blade in shaving position; and a double-edged blade clamped between said members, said blade including spaced parallel cutting edge portions and at least one shock absorbing bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions, said bridge portion comprising two parts both substantially midway between the cutting edge portions, said bridge portion parts being arched outwardly respectively on opposite sides of the general plane containing the cutting edges and being flexible to absorb shocks transmitted from one edge portion toward the other edge portion, said clamping members being recessed to accommodate said deform ed bridge parts with clearance for fiexure thereof incident to absorption of shocks. I

6. A razor blade comprising spaced parallel cutting edge portions separated by a slot extending throughout the major portion of the blade length, and at least one shock absorbing bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions, said bridge portion being deformed in manufacture and before use in a razor to project outwardly of the general plane containing the cutting edges and being resilient and having the characteristics of a spring to absorb shocks transmitted from one edge portion toward the other edge portion,

7. A razor blade comprising spaced parallel cutting edge portions separated by a slot extending throughout the major portion of the blade length, and at least one shock absorbing bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions, said bridge portion being deformed in manufacture and before use in a razor to be arched outwardly of the general 6 plane containing the cutting edges with the center of the are substantially on the center line of said blade parallel to the cutting edges, said bridge portion being resilient to absorb shocks transmitted from one edge portion toward the other edge portion.

8. A razor blade comprising spaced parallel cutting edge portions separated by a slot extending throughout the major portion of the blade length, and at least one shock absorbing bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions adjacent one end of the blade, said bridge portion being deformed in manufacture and before use in a razor to project outwardly of the general plane containing the cutting edges and being resilient and having the characteristics of a spring to absorb shocks transmitted from one edge portion toward the other edge portion.

9. A razor blade comprising spaced parallel cutting edge portions separated by a slot extending throughout the major portion of the blade length, and shock absorbing bridge portions spaced from each other longitudinall of the blade and extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions, said bridge portions being deformed in manufacture and before use in a razor to project outwardly of the general plane containing the cutting edges and being resilient and having the characteristics of a spring to absorb shocks transmitted from one edge portion toward the other edge portion.

10. A razor blade comprising spaced parallel cutting edge portions separated by a slot extending throughout the major portion of the blade length, and at least one shock absorbing bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions and being located substantially midway between said edge portions, said bridge portion comprising two parts which are deformed outwardly respectively on opposite sides of the general plane containing the cutting edges, and being resilient to absorb shocks transmitted from one edge portion toward the other edge portion.

11. A razor blade comprising spaced parallel cutting edge portions and a resilient shock absorbing bridge portion adjacent one end of the blade and extending transversely between and connecting said edge portions, said bridge portion constituting the sole connection between said edge portions and being formed in manufacture and before use in a razor to be arched outwardly of the general plane containing the cutting edges to thereby have characteristics of a section of a coil spring for absorbing shocks transmitted from one edge portion towards the other edge portion.

12. A razor blade as defined in claim 6 in which cut-outs are provided for damping the progression of vibrations.

13. A razor blade comprising a cutting edge portion, a portion spaced from said edge portion transversely thereof and being adapted to be clamped in a holder, and at least one shock absorbing bridge portion extending transversely between and connecting said edge portion and said portion adapted to be clamped; said bridge portion being deformed in manufacture and before use in a razor to project outwardly of the general plane containing said edge portion and said portion adapted to be clamped and being resilient and having the characteristics of a spring to absorb shocks transmitted from said edge portion,

JAMES E. CONNOLLY. 

